Pope Francis appears at Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square

13th April, 2025 | CNA

More than 250,000 palm and olive branches and more than 20,000 pilgrims filled St. Peter's Square for Palm Sunday at the Vatican — and finally, as the Mass concluded, Pope Francis was there, too. 

The 88-year-old pontiff, recovering from double pneumonia after a five-week hospitalisation, arrived just after the final blessing, making his way from St. Peter's Basilica into the square. 

"Have a good Palm Sunday, have a good Holy Week," said the pope, speaking over applause and the cheers of the crowd.

The Vatican had refused to comment before today (April 13) on whether the pontiff would be able to participate in any of the Vatican's Holy Week celebrations, the most sacred period of the year for Christians. 

Throughout the past week, however, Pope Francis has made surprise appearances in public, leading many Vatican officials to believe the pope would participate in the Palm Sunday liturgy in some capacity.